ONTARIO PLEDGES MORE DRUG TREATMENT FUNDING

MPP Di Cocco Cites Observer Drug Story

The plight of a local drug addict featured in The Observer has
caught the attention of the provincial government, which is pledging
more money for treatment services.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Caroline Di Cocco said Friday a two-part series
titled To Hell and Back has struck a chord with her government. The
feature, which detailed the struggles of Jeff Christie trying to
break an addiction to crystal methamphetamine was a wake-up call, she said.

"We need to do more. It is an issue being discussed within the
government. (Health Minister George Smitherman) understands the
file. There will be more emphasis and money to add to the services."
Last year, the province added $7 million to its
$113-million addictions budget but the level of service
remains inadequate, she said.

The absence of a local detox centre is particularly troubling, she added.

"You can expect more assistance, more investment in services dealing
with addiction. It's of concern to me that we don't have a full
complement of services locally."

Front-line providers are fighting to meet demand, with wait lists
topping two months in some cases. After a 12-year freeze, the
province increased addiction services funding three per cent in 2004
and 1.5 per cent in 2007.

Jeff Christie, the subject of the special feature, recently
completed a 21-day residential drug treatment program near Whitby,
Ont. and has been clean for six weeks. But it's a challenge
accessing local services, and without the support of a 12-step
program he wouldn't have lasted this long, said the
32-year-old, married father-of-three.

"It's hard to make any progress in terms of recovery when there's
not a lot of help out there," he said.

He has a probation order requiring him to complete anger management
counselling. But because of a recent United Way funding cut, the
John Howard Society has placed its anger management program on hold.
A decision on the future of the program is weeks away.

Christie, who is living on social assistance, said he's also been
refused marriage counselling unless he can pay the $800 fee himself.
And finding a job when you're labelled a druggie is proving
difficult, Christie said.

His wife, Heather, who has welcomed her husband back into the family
home, said it's no wonder addicts have a hard time getting straight.
"It's frustrating," she said. "Here we are, trying as a family, to
work together and resolve our problems but it seems like doors are
being slammed in our face.

"It's hard seeing the effect on Jeff because I know how much he
wants the help."